1. Operation Health and Safety Solar.pdf

OHS Solar PV electrical safety
hazards

solar power plant

1. OHS Considerations for
Utility-Scale Solar PV

Tuesday 11 May 2021

David Barrett - MPhil, MSc.,CEM®

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of potential harm, danger, peril or difficulty
which can/may potentially cause harm, injury or
adverse effects to individuals as health effects
under certain conditions at work.

which facilitates danger or e
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exposure to harm persons using the location.
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May be foreseeable or unforeseeable; avoidable or
unavoidable.

Existence of a hazard is NOT equivalent to the
manifestation of an event/incident.

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person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed
to a HAZARD; and an assessment of the possible extent of harm.

+ Eg. “10 per 100,000 wielders will likely develop permanent blindness" (depending on their
age, equipment, and years of wielding).

+ Factors that influence the degree of risk (risk factors) include:

of the exposure of a person to a hazardous thing or
condition. MAGNITUDE

the person was exposed - exposure pathway (e.g., breathing in a vapour,
skin contact).
NATURE OF

+ How are the effects under the conditions of exposure. SOURCE
- e.g. age, gender other bio-typing.
of contact.

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STEP Identify the hazards

Record your findings
and implement them

Review your assessment
and update if necessary

5. + Elevations (falls).

+ Extreme weather exposure
(dehydration/stroke).

+ High voltages >500 VDC/
VAC (shock)

« Glare/reflections (eye injury).

Sharp edges (cuts).
Lifting/moving (Ergonomics).

Hot surfaces (burns).
Glass (cuts and burns).
Heavy metals (strains).

6. + Physical Hazard is an

that can cause
physical bodily harm upon

+ Physical hazards include:
+ Radiation
+ Heat/cold stress.
+ Vibration.
* Electricity.
+ Noise.
+ Strikes/impacts.

Falling objects

1) Sharp edges.
2) Hot surfaces. a

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> 500 VDC/VAC

7. Ergonomic Hazards at Solar Sites alles

Ergonomic Hazard:
+ Any condition which has the
potential to cause harm to a

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worker’s musculo-skeletal
system.

+ An ergonomic hazard may be
caused by the physical condition
at the site or the physical
demands of a particular task.

+ Usually induced by awkward
work positions, repetitive
motion, heavy masses, poor
posture or type of equipment for
work.

11 May 2021, David Barrett- MPhil, MSc. CEM® 7

8. « Safety hazards - unnecessarily
unsafe working conditions that
that can cause injury, illness, and
death.

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+ Absence of available protective

equipment designed to prevent [+ |
accidents (e.g. shields etc.). =: =

+ Untidy/unkept work spaces. gr |

9. wes, Hierarchy of Controls
ho ‘Elimination

Physically remove
the hazard

Replace
the hazard
pass, Procedures
for Working
Administrative Change tha way safely
to pone werk

ct the worker with
nal Protective Equipment

By National institute for Occupational Safety and Health -
https://www.cde.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.himl, Public Domain,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55610678

10. «Working at heights (e.g.
roof-top solar)

«Hot works (e.g. welding
for SWH ).

Heavy lifts (e.g. installing
Roof PV).

Energized systems (eg
PV DC systems)

«Other

+ Authorized Permit to Work must be issued in advance of starting works.

by managing people processes.

« Hazard and risk assessment required in advance of PTW.

« Hazards and controls communicated to all workers during Tool Box discussion daily
before works begin.

+ Appropriate PPEs.

11. Energized systems (e.g. | “Electric motors in heavy
PV DC systems) lifts (e.g. installing Roof
PV or turbine blades)

«Inverter repairs/works
(e.g. wind, solar).

for dissipating or bl
Tag Out Device and protocols.

Hazards and controls communicated to all workers during Tool Box

discussion daily before works begins.

Preparation and issuance of Isolation Certificate.

< ir ‘ blocking source and residual
electrical energy and securing isolation point from operating, by Lock Out-

12. Energy Isolation

+ LOCK-OUT TAG-OUT PROCEDURE AND DE-ISOLATION
CONTROLLED BY RESPONSIBLE WORKER ONLY.

+ TEST AND CONFIRM - stored, generated and residual
energy = ZERO STATE. There should be no energy
readings and equipment should not work, even in
auxiliary modes.

Only trained /competent persons allowed to engage in
isolation and de-isolation.

+ Appropriate PPEs

11 May 2021, David Barrett- MPhil, MSc. CEM®

13. (partial alternatives) or
hazard control for
safe operation.

+ Thorough inspection of ladders,

scaffolding, platforms, fall arrest
system before engagement.

Personal fall arrest system (full body
harness, shock absorber, lanyard,
and connection to

anchor points at all times).

Atleast 3fv0.9m overhang: Î

‘Secure at top

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(e.g. ground trolley) or
hazard control for safe operation.

« Equipment inspected and certified for loads and
for safe work.

+ Personal fall arrest system (full body harness,
shock absorber, lanyard, and connection to
anchor points at all times).

15. Safety Signage

+ OSHA Standard 1910.145 “Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs
and Tags", specifies the level of hazard the labels should specify (e.g.

DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION), and must be readable from a 5 ft.
Distance. Explosion hazard.
Battery charging are.
Situations where an immediate hazard will cause So |pnoramıyEB

if not avoided. This designation is to be used only in

extreme situations. À WARNING]
Poison A
Situations where a potentially hazardous condition exists that ae
could result in the if not avoided.
Situations where a potential hazard presents a CAUTIO
that could result in minor or moderate injuries. HIGH
VOLTAGE

11 May 2021 David Barrett- MPhil, MSc. CEM® 15

16. Contractor Management

Applicable to hazards which may emerge from persons or companies contracted
for special services/tasks.

Administrative/process hazard control for safe operation.

+ Ensure contractors and sub-contractors
are competent for the task and sign OHS
compliance documentation prior to
commencement of works.

« Progressive and final evaluations.

+ Stop order for OHS failures.

11 May 2021, David Barrett- MPhil, MSc. CEM®

17. Avoid/limit excessive environmental exposures (e.g. heat and UV). Rehydrate frequently;
occasionally break repeated activities and change posture.

Avoid fatigue, long work hours and hunger (fainting, unconsciousness).
Medical assessment prior to commencing works.

Basic training in first aid; identify negative health and hygiene indicators early.

Report all actual and near incidents.

18. constructed of metal
or plastic and impact-
resistant lenses to
protect from frontal
impacts. Tinted for
glare and UV.

from hardened
vulcanized fiber or
fiberglass and fitted
with a filtered lens.

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impact and penetration
resistance; limited voltage protection (up
to 2,200 volts).

- protection against high-voltage
shock and burn protection (up to 20,000
volts); and also provides protection from
impact and penetration hazards

- lightweight comfort and impact
protection but no protection from
electrical hazards.

19. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Safety Sho:
impact-resistant toes
and heat-resistant
soles for hot work
surface; sole plate
for protection
against puncture
wounds.

(for
electrical hazards).

11 May 2021,

Gloves: Fall Arrest System:
Protect against
sharp edges,
abrasions; slip-
resistant qualities;
insulation for
electrical works.

Anchorage
, Anchorage Connector —

A

properly
ey form a Pe’
becomes vitally important for safety on the jobsite

avid Barrett- MPhil, MSc. CEM? 19

20. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Ear protection:
Choose protectors
that reduce noise to
an acceptable
level, while allowing
safety and
communication.

Be

11 May 2021

Respiratory masks:

Filter dust, viruses and
pollutants; simple
replaceable filters; tight-
fitting; high air
exchange required.

David Barrett- MPhil, MSc. CEM®

21. + 13 global REN leaders:

Vestas

Acciona

First Solar

ABB ltd.

General Electric.
Sunpower.

Siemens.

Gamesa Renewable Energy.
Atlantica Yield.
Everbright International.
EDP Renovaveis.

GRI Renewable Industries
Inox Wind Limited.

AGL Energy limited.

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Companies subscribe to Occupational Health and Safety
Management Systems - OHSAS18001 (replaced by ISO
45001 for UK based international standard for
occupational health and safety management systems
(OHSMS)).

Also subscribe to USA - Occupational Health and Safety
Admin. (OSHA) standards.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards

The Standards form the framework for the effective
management of OH&S including all aspects of risk
management and legal compliance.

Addresses occupational health and safety rather than any
specific product safety matters

22. Thank you for your
attention.

David Barrett, ENBAR Consulting
[phone] (m)

[phone] (m)
[email protected]

David Barrett - MPhil, MSc. CEM®